INVERCARGILL CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 27, 28 October 1887, Page 27

INVERCARGILL CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

September 27, 1887, The ordinary meeting c f the Society was held this evening, when there was a large attendance. The Rev. Father Dooley entered the room, and received a hearty welcome. The President expressed a hope that the rev. gentleman would often be seen at the meetings The Secretary remarked that without the patronage of the clergy it was almost impossible for a Catholic society to flourish. The Rev Father, in replying, remarked that he had always regarded literary societies as useful adjuncts to the Church, and he wo aid be most happy in assisting them in any way. The programme for the evening which consisted of competitive essays on " Home Rule," for which two prizes were offered, was then gone through. First priie was unani. mously awarded to Mr. J. Kennedy, for what, in the opinion of all present, was a most able production. The essayist treated the subject exhaustively from historical, patriotic, and commcrial points of view He strongly condemned the Coercion Bill, which he characterised as the most atrocious Act that ever disgraced the annals of legislation— an Act which virtually meant the stoppage of all law, all right, and all justice in Ireland, and that in a country that showed less crime for itß population than any nation in the universe. Mr. Kennedy also strongly censured those who strove to keep alive religious illfeelings between those of different denominations in Ireland, and declared that he was unacquainted with language sufficiently strong to stigmatise those bigoted and fanatical firebrands who periodically visit Ireland for the purpose of working on the religious passions of men, and creating strife which often ended in bloodshed. Mr. Kennedy concluded his exhaustive and meritorious paper by paying a high tribue to the genius and candour of Mr. Gladstone, & name that would be read of in bißiory *s the benefactor of mankind, when the names of those who were opposing him with every vile means in their power would be buried in

oblivion. Mr. Kennedy was frequently applauded, and at the conclusion was warmly complimented by the Bey. Father Dooley, Mr. Gilfedder, and most of the members present. The second prise taken by Mr. B. Bradley, was also deservedly applauded for his able production, which, though short, contained some good thoughts on the subject . In conclusion he referred in glowing terms to the leaden of the movement, and said we knew not the hour or the minute the newi would be flashed to us that the Salisbury Government was defeated, and that the Grand Old Man was again in power. The emy was favourably criticised by the rev. gentleman and several of the mem* bers present. Both gentlemen returned thanks for the prices, Mr. Kennedy remarking that he would feel amply rewarded if his efforts were the means of directing the attantiou of even a few of tho mem* bers to the study of that most interesting of all history— the history of Ireland. The meeting then closed with prayer.

October 4. The usual weekly meeting of the Society was held this evening. The Rev. Father Dooley was present, and there was a large attendance of members, The programme for the evening was competitive readings, for which two priaes were offered, the first being a silver medal. There were seven competitors, and on a vote being taken, first prise was awarded to Mr. D. Bradley, second to Mr. P. Beid. A short discussion took place regarding the difference between a reading and a recitation, most of the competitors being of the opinion thst the piece given by Mr. Bradly, " Tells 'address to hi§ native mountains," is a recitation. All the competitors were frequently applauded, and altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent. The priie winners having returned thanks, the meeting concluded in the usual manner.

At the meeting of the Society held on the evening of October 11, the Rev. Father Dooley was present, and there was a large attendance of members, The programme was a debate, " Moderate Drinking *ertu» Total Abstinence." The Rev. Father Dooley opened in favour nf moderate drinking, and commenced by explaining what he meant by the moderate use of liquor. He was astonished that here people who visit and drink in every hotel in the town, were classed as moderate drinkers, he called those persons tipplers. The rev. gentleman spoke long an forcibly in favour of the moderate use of wine, and quot d from Ecclesiasticug, xxxi chapter, in support of his views, and showed that from time immemorial, wine had been used by all civilised nations. The rev. gentleman concluded his forcible argnmentß by giving all praise to teetotalers for their efforts in the direction of stamping out drunkenness. But some of their arguments could not apply to those who used liquors temperately and who partook of them as nourishment. The rev. gentleman was supported by Messrs. Oameron, Hishon, and Kennedy, all of whom made tome hard hits against the Blue Ribbon men, the last-named gentleman remarking that only thoae who worked laboriously, knew the fall value of a stimulant. He also declared that the wholeiomest drink on earth for a working-man was a glass of good beer. Mr. D. Bradley opened in favour of teetotalism. This gentleman was supplied with a carefully written paper in support of hit principles. He maintained that all drunkards commenced M moderate drinkers. He was supported by Messrs. B. Bradly, P. Reid, and O'Brien, all of whom spoke strongly and stoutly in favour et teetotal principles. As is usual with Mr. O'Brien he came well loaded with Press cuttings, poetry, etc., all dealing heavy blows against drink. He concluded by stating that did time allow he could convince all present of the wickedness of even smelling strong drink. The Rev, Father Dooley rtplied in a somewhat crashing manner and cleared away some misapprehensions that existed regarding fermented and unfermented wines. Referring to the statement that non-drinkers were intellectually superior to, and more honeit than, drinkers, he mentioned the peculiarities of those non-drinking races, the Hindoos and Mohammedans, as a stiiking contrast to that wild statement. The rev. gentleman mentioned the Spanish, French, and lialian method of using wines as his ideal of moderate drinking, and concluded by stating that the greatest warriors, poets, statesmen, aud writers the world ever saw used wine moderately. The debate concluded, a show of hands was taken, when the numbers were— for moderate drinking, 19 ; for total abstinence, 16. Much interest was taksn in the debate and a most enjoyable and instructive evening was brought to a close by the President thanking the rev gentleman for his attendance, and for the pains he had taken im making himself clear on all points. . Mr. Kennedy concurred, remarking that it wm plain to be seen that more interest was now being taken in the meetings of the Society. This he attributed to the presence of the reverend gentleman, who had so enlightened them that evening. The meeting then oloeed with prayer.